In 1945, when Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a stroke, his physicians did not know that his long-standing hypertension, with recorded systolic blood pressures as high as 300, had played a major role in his untimely death at the age of 63. It wasn't until four years later that the Framingham Heart Study provided the first insights into the link between elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, with its findings first published in 1961[1]. Since then, numerous studies have highlighted valuable information about hypertension as a risk factor for heart disease, chronic kidney disease and peripheral vascular disease.

The Road to High Blood Pressure

Hypertension can lead to heart failure, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease or an aortic aneurysm and a resulting stroke[2]. Heart disease is the most common cause of death in hypertensive patients. Approximately 95% of adults with high blood pressure have primary or essential hypertension, which results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Lifestyle factors such as high salt intake, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption can all contribute to hypertension.

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The likelihood of hypertension increases with age. Nearly 75 percent of adults over 70 suffer from elevated blood pressure.

There are a few secondary causes of hypertension that together account for five percent of the cases. Obstructive sleep apnea, kidney disease, thyroid disease and renal artery stenosis are chief among them. Other, less common, secondary causes are pheochromocytoma, coarctation of the aorta, excessive aldosterone secretion and excessive cortisol secretion.

How Blood Pressure Is Regulated

Blood pressure regulation depends upon the balance between the heart's output and the ability of the peripheral vascular system — the veins and arteries in the extremities — to resist that pressure. Retention of sodium is often the first step in hypertension. This then leads to increased fluid within the blood vessels, the pressure of which consequently raises blood pressure.

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Various systems regulate blood pressure, such as the RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) in the kidneys, the autonomic nervous system and local neurohormonal systems[3][4]. As people age, arteries become less elastic and harden, so blood pressure can rise as one grows older.

A diagnosis of hypertension is typically made when a person has had elevated blood pressure on three consecutive readings on different days, with the average of the last two readings being greater than 140 mm Hg systolic — the top number in a blood pressure reading, and the blood pressure reading when the heart contracts during a beat — and/or 90 mm Hg diastolic — the blood pressure when the heart is relaxing between beats. Diastolic is the bottom number in a blood pressure reading.

Having your blood pressure taken, or taking it yourself, is pretty straightforward. There are just a few simple steps you need to follow to get an accurate reading.

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At the Clinic

When you have your blood pressure taken at a clinic or doctor's office, you will be asked to empty your bladder and be seated in a comfortable position, with your back well supported and your legs resting comfortably on the ground, uncrossed. Don't smoke, drink coffee or exercise for 30 minutes prior to going in to have your blood pressure taken.

It's also important that an appropriate-sized blood pressure cuff is used. Using over- or under-sized cuffs may lead to erroneous measurement. An oversized cuff will lead to underestimation of blood pressure, while an undersized cuff will lead to overestimation of blood pressure.

Initially, blood pressure should be measured in both upper arms; if the readings are different, other diagnoses will be considered. The arm with the higher reading should be used for measurements thereafter.

Blood pressure measurements at the wrist or finger are less reliable than upper arm measurement. While blood pressure can be measured using a stethoscope or an automated electronic device, electronic devices are preferred, as the results are more reproducible. However, the accuracy of electronic instruments can decrease if they are not calibrated periodically[6].

Some people have what is known as “white coat hypertension” — elevated blood pressure in the examining room, but normal blood pressure elsewhere. The best way to figure out if this is the reason why your pressure is suddenly elevated is to either get blood pressure readings at home or use ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. This involves wearing an arm cuff connected to a device that automatically measures and records blood pressures at regular intervals, usually over a 24-hour period[7].

At the Drugstore

If you use a blood pressure monitor at your local drug store or grocery store, try to follow the guidelines above as much as possible: be seated comfortably with feet on the floor; make sure you haven't exercised, smoked or had an abundance of caffeine in the past hour; and try to have an empty bladder.

At Home

Monitoring your blood pressure at home is an inexpensive alternative to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. It is particularly useful if a person is already on blood pressure medication since it can help motivate people to stay on their medications and provides greater feedback regarding blood pressure levels, resulting in better BP control. Home blood pressure readings can serve as an early warning system. It is better at predicting strokes or heart attacks than clinic-based measurements since blood pressure measurements are highly influenced by the daily circadian rhythm in addition to numerous other erratic factors such as stress, smoking, caffeine intake and exercise. And basically, taking multiple readings gives a better sense of one's average blood pressure than a single reading.

There are a few potential problems with at-home BP measurements, including inaccurate technique and the lack of accuracy of home blood pressure machines. The best thing to do is to bring your home monitor or cell phone to the clinic, where your doctor can simultaneously measure your blood pressure with the clinic monitor and the home monitor to check to see if you are using the monitor correctly.